{"id":11833,"date":"2013-04-10T14:52:47","date_gmt":"2013-04-10T13:52:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/?p=11833"},"modified":"2013-04-10T15:07:33","modified_gmt":"2013-04-10T14:07:33","slug":"isthmian-league-cup-final-dulwich-hamlet-2-concord-rangers-3-photo-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/isthmian-league-cup-final-dulwich-hamlet-2-concord-rangers-3-photo-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Isthmian League Cup Final – Dulwich Hamlet 2 Concord Rangers 3 – photo report"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

The last\u00a0cup\u00a0final I attended was at Wembley last year\u00a0watching\u00a0Cardiff\u00a0lose to Liverpool in the Carling cup<\/a>, so as big matches go, last night’s Isthmian League Cup Final\u00a0at Maidstone’s Gallagher Stadium<\/a>\u00a0was a far more modest affair – but still great fun.<\/p>\n

Maidstone’s new stadium, a surprisingly small affair despite its 2,300 capacity, saw local heroes Dulwich Hamlet\u00a0heroically\u00a0battle Premier Division Concord Rangers and only just lose out after extra time.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

A very large\u00a0scarf\u00a0is unfurled before the start of the game.<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

It’s artificial, Jim <\/strong><\/p>\n

Maidstone were the first English team to build a stadium with a third generation artificial turf (3G), and it’s something that has proved financially\u00a0rewarding\u00a0for the club: the pitch never gets waterlogged, it can be hired out as often as they like and it means that the stadium can be a hub for all the club’s youth and community teams.<\/p>\n

The financial logic is sound,\u00a0although\u00a0I’m not a fan: I like the pitch to reflect the season and be as variable as the football.<\/p>\n

Going with a 3G pitch may also prove problematic for Maidstone as they’ve only gained permission to use it in the Isthmian League, the FA Trophy and the qualifying round of the FA Cup.<\/p>\n

With the club yet to\u00a0receive\u00a0permission\u00a0for matches in the Football Conference (Conference National \/ North & South), there is the possibility that they may be refused promotion (if<\/em> they get it!) unless they replace the 3G turf \u00a0with grass [—<\/a>].<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

Back to the game, the crowd was something of a disappointment, with well under 500 people showing up for the match.<\/p>\n

Some questioned the wisdom of putting the game on at Maidstone seeing as it wasn’t exactly an easy place for either set of \u00a0supporters to get to, especially in the middle of the week.<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

The Hamlet support was truly magnificent<\/em> from the start, creating a near endless wall of sound for the team.<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

Ten minutes into the game and\u00a0\u00a0Ellis Green slammed in a\u00a0thunderous\u00a0shot that bulged into the back of the net. And the Dulwich fans went wild!<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

Bizarrely, the Concord goalie tried to insist that the shot had in fact gone wide, much to the amusement of the Hamlet fans behind the net.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0poor\u00a0goalie was then teased mercilessly whenever he got near the ball. His Mum was there – a very\u00a0lovely\u00a0lady – and she told me that he’s on Southend’s books and plays for Wales. So I like him a bit more now.<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

Hamlet go close.<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

Concord grew stronger as the first half wore on, and Hamlet were lucky to be hanging on to their 1-0 lead by half time.<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

Hamlet\u00a0started\u00a0brightly in the second half, but Concord\u00a0equalised on the hour.<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

Hamlet responded swiftly, with Ellis Green cutting in from the left and slamming the ball home to put us back in the lead. 2-1 to the Hamlet!<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

Our joy was short lived as Concord\u00a0equalised\u00a0again, bringing the game into extra time and rapidly increasing the bar profits as nerve-steadying beers were consumed.<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

Dulwich battled hard in extra time, but towards the end they clearly started to tire\u00a0against\u00a0the higher ranked\u00a0opposition.<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

The first period of\u00a0extra\u00a0time ended with no\u00a0goals.<\/p>\n

\"Isthmian<\/p>\n

After a rather dodgy looking free kick was awarded, Concord scored the winner. Bah!<\/p>\n